UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

Azerbaijan says Iran-launched drones and missiles struck Nakhchivan International Airport; Iran denies involvement

Azerbaijan says drones and missiles launched from Iranian territory struck Nakhchivan International Airport's passenger terminal on March 5, damaging civilian infrastructure in the exclave located roughly 10 km from Iran's border. Iran denied responsibility and blamed Israel; Baku's defence ministry warned of retaliation.

Also: defencetoday.com, Kyiv Independent, defence-blog.com, The Independent, Economic Times, airlive.net, miragenews.com and 3 more
2026-03-05T01:53:27.514928-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Zelenskyy offers Ukraine’s interceptor drones and expertise to Gulf states to counter Shahed attacks

By AeroTime: Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ready to share interceptor drones and expertise as the US and Gulf states explore ways to counter Iranian Shahed attacks.

Also: AirForceTimes
2026-03-05T01:16:57.269676-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   F-16   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Tom Balmforth

Exclusive: US missile shortfalls left Ukraine’s F‑16s underarmed during Russian winter air offensive

By Reuters: Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets didn't have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles for more than three weeks after supplies from Kyiv's partners dried up just as Moscow was preparing a massive winter air campaign, three sources said.

Also: militarnyi.com, news.ssbcrack.com and Kyiv Independent
2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00
Europe   Airports   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Portugal’s PM Defends Allowing US Use of Lajes Airbase for Iran Campaign, Diverging From Spain

By Reuters: Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro defended his decision to let the United States use the Lajes airbase on Portugal's Azores Islands during the Iran bombing campaign, a position at odds with that of neighbour Spain which refused such requests.

2026-03-04T23:22:05.601667-08:00
MRO   Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

HAL wins INR29 billion contract to supply six Dhruv ALH Mk-III to Indian Coast Guard with PBL support

By FlightGlobal: Hindustan Aeronautics has won a INR29 billion ($319 million) contract to supply six Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III rotorcraft to India's coast guard, including performance-based logistics support, marking renewed confidence in the type following safety modifications after a fatal crash in 2025.

2026-03-05T00:06:49.213794-08:00